Chapter 7
[ prologue ] [ ch 1 ] [ ch 2 ] [ ch 3 ] [ ch 4 ] [ ch 5 ] [ ch 6 ]« previous chapters
7: Villains
Cecilia: One Cosmopolitan please... with grenadine instead of triple sec.. and maybe pineapple juice instead of lime.. and maybe a bit light on the vodka... or hold the vodka all together and make it with gin?
Bartender: At this point, I don't think that's a Cosmopolitan anymore, lady.
Cecilia: Oh I don't care what it's called, just throw it all in a blender and pour it.
Bartender: Well, you don't actually use a blender for this... never mind, coming right up!
Malcolm: You can put whatever she's having on my tab.
Bartender: Sure thing, Mr. Landgraab.
Cecilia: Oh... thank you. That's not necessary though, I can pay for my own drink.
Malcolm: I'm sure you can, Miss Baird. I was merely being polite
Cecilia: You know who I am?
Malcolm: Why wouldn't I? Cecilia Baird, is it not? The resemblance to your mother is uncanny.
Cecilia: And you're Malcolm Landgraab the IV, aren't you? You own all those big stores and clubs that's going up all over the place?
Malcolm: I guess we're both mutually famous.
Cecilia: You know, I thought you might have been a friend of my grandfather... Brandon Markelly. But you really don't look that old.
Malcolm: I'll take that as a compliment. And yes... I guess once a long time ago, Brandon and I were good friends. I was much younger than him at the time, and you can say that being rich definitely has it's advantages when it comes to remaining youthful if you know what I mean?
Cecilia: Nip here, tuck there, that sort of thing?
Malcolm: *laughs* I guess you've learned my secret.
Willow felt lightheaded. The combination of the effects of wine, the hum of the patron's chatter and the ambient jazz that was being fed through the bar's speakers felt as if it was smothering her in that instant. She forgot what she had been doing... she might have been dancing, or talking to Gabriel. But in that instant, she couldn't concentrate and her head began to spin.
But something else was happening and it was far more than the alcoholic buzz. She could feel it. Little trickles of energy spiralled through her veins. She was vaguely aware of Gabriel talking to her... calling her name. For an instant, she felt disembodied and everything else around her disappeared. Something was happening tonight.
Miss Cordial: It's interesting. What would a Vampire possibly want with the Book anyhow?
Wesley only grinned slightly. Her aura did not surprise him. He knew exactly what he was facing when he entered her home.
Wesley: What makes you think that it's for me?
Miss Cordial: Of course it's not for you. If you're here for the Book, then I'd think you'd know enough of it to understand that only another Witch could use it.
Wesley: Not my concern.
Miss Cordial: Well it's mine. Another witch must have sent you here. Is it the Circle...?
The levitated chair shot through the air quickly. Wesley barely had time to duck as it flew overhead and smashed into the wall behind him.
Wesley: I've no idea what the Circle is.
Miss Cordial: I guess it doesn't matter then. You won't get the Book and I doubt you'll leave here alive.
She was frightened and unsure of herself, but she took care to mask it. She hadn't had much occasion to use her magic and Wesley knew this. She hid her vulnerabilities well though. He was unprepared for the spell she conjured.
It struck him with a sudden flood of pain. Magic enveloped him, seeping through his clothes and into his skin.
What he felt next was nothing less than the pure sun tearing into him, burning him swiftly.
Willow gasped aloud as a thousand needles seemed to stab her all at once.
For the briefest of seconds, the sharp ache that originated from somewhere in her head was the most intense she had ever felt. But in an instant it was gone, and she felt herself falling ...
Jasmine: Willow? Willow are you alright?
Gabriel: Come on, Willow, stay up.
Jasmine: She really doesn't look good, Gabe.
Malcolm: Is that your friend?
Cecilia: Oh god, Willow. That's my sister's friend. I guess she's not good at holding her liquor.
Malcolm: Maybe it's time someone bring her home then.
Cecilia: I'm sure my cousin will take care of it.
Gabriel: Okay, young lady, you're officially cut off. No more booze for you. Maybe ever.
Willow: Gabriel, I don't feel well.
Gabriel: Alright... We're going home. Are you going to be okay?
He sounded like he was talking to her through a long tunnel. He was touching her but she couldn't feel him.
Willow: I don't know... I feel strange.
Everyone felt unreal to her, like they were ghosts drifting around her, trying talk to her. Slowly she pulled herself back to reality enough to walk out of the club with Gabriel. However, as she did, someone close by suddenly seemed much more solid then everyone else. Much more real.
Willow: Gabriel, who's that?
Gabriel: You mean Cecilia's new friend? No clue, but don't worry about him. I'm sure we'll all hear about it from Cecilia later.
However, across the bar, there was one person who was neither curious, nor pleased with Cecilia's new friend. Denise was flanked on all sides by patrons and fans, all talking at her, asking her different questions. She couldn't concentrate on them that minute as she watched him talk to her daughter.
Well I guess bringing a friend worked out great for me, Jasmine thought sarcastically to herself as she sat alone at her table. She hadn't expected Willow to have gotten herself drunk enough to have to leave earlier. Without Willow or Gabriel around, she suddenly felt more lonely. At this point, she just wanted Cecilia to stop talking to that male bimbo she was with so they could say their goodbyes and leave.
Kestrel: Mind if I sit?
Jasmine: Can I stop you?
Kestrel: I don't think we got off to a good start.
Jasmine: I guess not.
She wanted him to go away. She tried to act as aloof as possible hoping he'd just get the hint and leave.
Kestrel: You know, before we were interrupted by your mother, I was going to go on and mention what a beauty you were. I wouldn't be lying too.
Jasmine: Dude, come on, you're twice my age and your my best friend's Uncle.
Kestrel: I'm not hitting on you, Jasmine. At least not this time. I mean it. You're definitely your mother's daughter.
Kestrel: She talks about you and Cecilia all the time. It's really nice to be able to finally meet you.
Jasmine: I would have thought she'd forgotten we ever existed.
Kestrel: Never. She's just too proud for her own good.
Jasmine: So what, you're telling me pride was keeping her from giving us a phone call? Sending an e-mail?
Kestrel: I know. With her she makes things more complicated than they should be.
Jasmine: You seem to know her pretty well. Are you two sleeping together or something?
Kestrel laughed nervously and gave her an awkward smile.
Kestrel: Sleeping together? Uh, no. Your mother... well, she's too good for me.
Kestrel: But she doesn't know that about herself. She's a really wonderful person, but she's not much in the self-esteem department. Denise and I are just good friends. I think we're both happier that way.
Jasmine: Well to tell you the truth, I kinda figured that. My mom doesn't seem like the type to just shack up with just anyone. I never really believed what the gossip rags said about her.
Kestrel: I like to think I'm not 'just anyone'.
Jasmine: You know what I mean.
Kestrel: But you're right not to believe the tabloids. Your mother hasn't been in any kind of relationship, casual, serious or otherwise, since your dad.
For some reason, those words made Jasmine feel a little happier about being here. She had honestly didn't want to think of what Denise had been doing..or who she had been doing .. while she was away. The thought of her mom with someone else creeped her out too much. But learning that she might still have a thing for her father made her smile.
Kestrel: All I wanted to say is that meeting you and Cecilia here tonight was important to her. And it was probably just as awkward for her as it was for you. She wants to be back in your lives and it'd mean a lot if you gave her a chance to do that.
Denise: Well hello, Mr. Landgraab. Remember me?
Malcolm: How can I forget, the lovely Denise Markelly. I didn't think you'd remember me. You were very young when we last met.
Denise: Not that young. As for you, you don't look like you've aged a bit.
Malcolm: Yes, I seem to be getting that a lot.
Denise leaned in closer, almost intimately. Her voice was low and even.
Denise: What will it take to keep you away from my daughter.
She slowly pulled back, her smile serene, but her eyes focused on Malcolm like daggers. Malcolm seemed taken aback and for the first time in a long time, he was at a loss for words. In this instance, Denise was very much a lioness protecting her young.
Denise: Don't think I don't remember you, Malcolm and the kind of person you are. But I guess I should be thanking you. If you hadn't had that affair with that bitch ex-stepmother of mine, my father might have been married to her a lot longer than he should have been.
Malcolm: Ah yes, Abigail. It's been a while since I've thought of her. Don't tell me you've actually been angry about that all this time.
Denise: No, Malcolm, I haven't. My family has moved on. But you're not getting involved with my daughter.
Malcolm: I'm surprised that you of all people would be dictating who your daughter should be involved with. You don't seem to have a history of being that selective yourself.
Cecilia: Mom, what's this about?
Malcolm: It's about this guy being the worst person you could be talking to now, Cecilia.
Denise began to pull her daughter away despite Cecilia's protests.
Cecilia: Come on, Mom you're embarassing me, I was just talking to him.
Denise: I do not want you talking to that man.
Cecilia: Are you kidding me? I haven't seen you in, like, a year, and you're telling me who I can't talk to?
Denise: I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't think it was for your own good. You need to trust me when I tell you that he's a horrible person.
Cecilia: In case you haven't noticed, Mom, I'm not a kid anymore. And frankly, I think you gave up any kind of right to give me motherly advice when you left us three years ago.
Denise: Cecilia, I never left you.
Cecilia: Right, I guess you were Miss Invisible lady all that time. I will talk to whomever I want. I'll see whomever I want, and I'll do whatever I want. Just like you did.
Gabriel: I take it you're feeling a little better.
Willow: A little... I think the fresh air helped out a lot. We can stay longer if you want...
But Willow spoke too soon. Still light headed, she swooned forward.
Gabriel: Haha, maybe we should just get going.
Willow: I feel really bad. Maybe you should stay so I don't ruin your night.
Gabriel: Seriously don't worry about it. It happens to the best of us. Besides, I told your Uncle I'd make sure you got home okay.
Willow: Uncle Kestrel... I didn't get a chance to say goodbye.
Gabriel: I'm sure he'll get over it.
Willow: I just felt really, really weird for a moment. Like something was wrong.
Gabriel: Yeah it's called sobering up. And then the hangover. Sucks, don't it.
Willow: I really do feel bad about all of it.
Gabriel: You worry too much. At least you'll live.
The spell burned around Wesley, cutting into him like heated blades, but it didn't sink deeper than it should have. He had doubted it at first, but Clara's counterspells worked all too well against Kimberly Cordial's magic.
Wesley: I'm not going to give you a chance to try that again.
His voice was a growl as he threatened her. The pain had been intense, but it was fading, and all that remained was anger.
Miss Cordial was incredulous.
Miss Cordial: How did that not affect you???
That spell could have reduced ten vampires to ashes and yet this one just shook it off. She knew the answer even before she asked. He was enchanted against magic somehow. And this wasn't the Circle's style to deal with vampires in any capacity. The alternative explanation filled her with dread and anger.
Miss Cordial: You're not acting of your own accord. That's obvious now. There's a spell on you and you're either too stupid to not know it or you walked into it willingly. Tell me who did this to you.
The piano came to life and slid quickly across the floor towards Wesley. But the vampire vanished before it struck him.
Questions flew through her mind in that split second, followed by a sense of panic.
For a brief moment, there was silence in her condo, but the air was still vibrating with the energy of her spells. It seemed darker somehow and her fear heightened, but she knew that was the vampire's effect.
You won't find the Book here, she whispered to an empty room. The Heir already has it.
The Heir? Wesley's mind raced. Clara's spells confused him most times, but in that moment there was a touch of cold clarity. It was only brief as thoughts of his mission returned to him.
Miss Cordial: There's nothing more you can do here.
Wesley: That's not true. There's one more thing I need to take care of.
He was swift in the darkness and she had not had time to react as he reappeared.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabriel: Well, at least we're home, fair lady. And in one piece. How do you feel?
Willow: Still a little tipsy I think.
Willow: I had a good time though... except for nearly passing out.
Gabriel: You know, I think you are the type of person that knows how to have a good time when you want to. Don't deny it, I know I'm right.
Willow: Really? We hang out once and you think you've figured me out?
Gabriel: No offense, but it's not that hard to figure most people out. You're a little quiet mouse most of the time because you're afraid of calling attention to yourself. It's called insecurity. But if tonight has proven anything it's that you can lighten up once in a while. It'll be fun to see if you can more often.
Willow: What if you don't have me figured all out. For all you know, I can be an atrociously evil witch.
Gabriel: Willow, there is nothing remotely atrocious about you.
Willow: You really don't believe me?
Gabriel: You're probably right. Behind that pretty face could be a seething torrent of madness and rage. What do I know.
Gabriel: Okay, I don't care if you're an evil witch, or alien, or bigfoot or whatever. I'm glad we went out and I had fun too.
Willow: Thank you, Gabriel.
Gabriel: For what?
Willow: For convincing me to go. For making sure I was okay. For telling me I had a pretty face.
Gabriel smiled. He knew she was shy, but in that minute, he suddenly understood just how insecure she was.
Gabriel: You're welcome.
The autumn air was cool and the only sound was the rush of the fountain and crickets singing. For a minute that was all there was between them and all he kept thinking of was how beautiful and sweet Willow was. He didn't know why, but he felt compelled to kiss her then. So he did.
Willow was a little confused, but she couldn't deny to herself that it felt nice... wonderful even. Gabriel looked at her and smiled as they broke apart. She couldn't think of anything to tell him. She had never been kissed before.
"Good night, Gabriel." Was all she said.
Gabriel stood outside for a while, long after she disappeared into the dorm. He had no idea what just happened, but it felt like something insane had just hit him. He never imagined having any kind of feelings for her, but there it was. He wasn't sure how he was going to deal with it in the morning.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wesley watched as the aura left the witch's body.
He leaned down to make sure she was dead. He was very aware of how still she was. How breathless she was. But he didn't feel anything more than that. None of that remorse or guilt he had used to feel was there. Every emotion in him had been silenced. The energy from her blood sated him. He wouldn't have to feed again, at least not for a while.
He got up to start his task of searching her home for that Book that Clara desperately wanted. He had a feeling that Miss Cordial was right and he wouldn't find it here. Clara would have to deal with whoever the Heir was, or at the least send him to deal with it for her.
Death came quietly for Kimberly Cordial. This time, it had nothing to say to Wesley.
next » [ Chapter 8: Family Ties ]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The Bartender is Logan, created by katu @
pixel_trade